Mouth organ



' J. HOHNER MOUTH ORGAN Dec. 2, 1930.

Filed Oct. 25, 1927 Patented Dec. 2, 1930 UNITED STATES JACOB HOHNER, OF TROSSINGEN, GERMANY MOUTH ORGAN Application filed October 25, 1927, Serial No. 228,533, and in Germany March 7, 1927.

This invention relates to a mouth organ whose covers form a hinged casing in which the sound amplifier, as for example, the sound board is movably supported so that it can be moved into the casing or can be moved outwardly for playing so that it projects in the usual manner between the open covers.

A constructional form of the invention is illustrated diagrammatically and by way of example in the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a plan of a mouth organ in accordance with the present invention showing the closed position.

Figure 2 is a plan with the upper cover removed showing the sounding board located inside the closed cover.

Figures 3 and 4 are respectively an end view and a cross section.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 correspond to Figures 2 to 4, the sound board being shown in the playing position.

The mouth organ comprises as usual thesound board at having a sound plate I) and the tongues c. The covers (Z are turnable about a hinge pin 6 and they are so formed that their edges 7 which abut the mouthpiece combine to form a mouth which forms a tight closure when the covers are closed over the sounding board. Their rear edges are so bent that when they are closed they form a tight closure with the back edge of the sound board casing. Both the covers (Z are associated with springs z' wound round the hinge pin e. These springs tend to close the mouth of the cover. A guide plate 73 is mounted on the hinge pin 6. This guide plate 70 has lateral U-shaped lips Z which embrace the sound board a. This guide plate is has at its rear edge or end a bent lip m which is provided with a passage'or slot for a guide pin 0 secured to the sound board.

The action is as follows.:

When the instrument is not being played the sound board a is covered and lies within both covers (2 whose mouth or opening is 5 closed, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, since the edges 7 then contact with each other.

If the sound board is to be brought into the playing position the rear ends of the covers are forced together against the action of the springs i so that edges f are separated to form an opening. In order to enlarge the opening ribs or recesses are arranged on the cover. VJhen the covers cl are opened it is suflicient to incline or tilt the instrument with the forward or front side downward so that the sound board slides downwardly in its guides until the head 5/ of the pin 0 stop further movement of the instrument. If now the covers cl are released their edgesf are closed over the sound board a by the influence of the springs i whereby the forward edges f of the covers d engage in grooves 7" on the edge of the instrument and retain this in the playing position, as shown in Figures 5 to 7. The covers (5 may have their edges separated to release thesound board, which can then be permitted to slide into the casing.

' As shown in Fig. 2, a guide plate is is pro vided at each end of the instrument.

Since the harmonica is slidably movable into and out of the casing formed by the hinge covers solely by the weight of the harmonica, and independent of any springs or the'like, a simple and reliable movement is provided,

which cannot be affected by the jamming action of springs. As shown in Fig. 2, the playing end of the harmonica is wider than the body thereof. As shown in Fig. 4, the harmonica is provided with a rail it at the rear end thereof which is engaged by the rear edges 9 of the cover member (Z. As shown in Fig. 3 for example, said cover members are provided with ribs 10 so that the device can be conveniently manipulated with one hand.

what I claim is 1. A combination harmonica and casing comprising a pair of casing members turnably mounted upon a hinge pin, said casing members being mounted on said hinge pin intermediate the ends thereof, spring means mounted on said hinge pin, and adapted to force said casing members to the closing position, guide means mounted upon said hinge pin, and a harmonica slidably mounted upon the said guide means.

2. A combination harmonica and casing comprising a pair of easing members turnably mounted upon a hinge pin, said casing members being so mounted intermediate the ends thereof, spring means mounted on said hinge pin, and adapted to force the casing members into the closing position, guide means mounted upon the said hinge pin, and adapted to engage a harmonica so that the said harmonica can be slid into and out of the said casing, said harmonica having a guide pin connected thereto Which passes through a slot in the reai'portion of said gu'ide means. 3. A combination harmonica and casing 10 comprising a'pair of easing members turnably mounted on a hinge pin, said casing members being so mounted intermediate the ends thereof, the ends of said casing members being shaped to form a substantially tight casing for the harmonica, said harmonica be inglslidably mounted Within said casing, and a spring-adapted to normally urge said casing members to the closing position.

4:. A combination harmonica and casing comprisingapairof casing members turnably mounted upon a hinge pin, said casing membersbeing so mounted intermediate the ends thereof, spring means mounted on said hinge pin, and adapted to force thecasing membersuinto the closing position, guide means mounted'upon the said hinge pin, and adapted t'oen'gage a harmonica sothat the said harmonica can he slid into and out ofthe, said casing,,s'aidharmonica having a. guide pin connected thereto whichpasses through: a' slot in the rear portion of said guide means, said harmonica also having a member at the rear end thereof which is adapted to be engaged by the rear edges of said casing members, When said harmonica is located Within the casing 5. A combination harmonica and casing comprising a pair of casing members turnably mounted upon a hinge pin, said casing 40 members being so mounted intermediate the ends thereof, spring means mounted on said hinge pin, and adapted to forcethe casing members into the closing position, guide means mounted upon the said hinge pin, and adapted to engage ,a harmonica so that the said harmonica can be slid into and out of the said casing,;said harmonica having a guide pin connected thereto Which passes through'a slot in the rear portion'of said guide means, said harmonica also having a member at the rearend thereof Which is adapted to be engaged by the, rear edges of said casing memy bers, When said harmonica is located Within the casing, said casing members having ribs topermit their convenient manipulation With one hand. 7 I

In testimony whereof I1 afiix my signature; I JACOB HOHNEB. 

